PAS too wants a full explanation from Hasan Ali over church raid

Selangor PAS will demand an explanation from state exco member Hasan Ali over the Damansara Utama Methodist Church issue, acting swiftly to contain the huge fallout precipitated by the maverick politician who had defended a Wednesday raid and accused church officials of proselytizing Muslims.

Khalid Samad (right), the Shah Alam MP and deputy state commissioner, had a day ago told Malaysia Chronicle that Hasan was acting on his own and PAS did not condione his actions.

"We hope for all to exercise wisdom over this issue. We reserve comment until we get hold of the JAIS report and top state leaders will meet with Hasan Ali to get his explanation. We will see what is the evidence that he claims there is,” Khalid told a press conference on Friday.

Serious allegations

Hasan, who is Gombak Setia assemblyman and in charge of religious affairs in the state executive council, had defended the JAIS raid on the DU church without any warrant. Some 20 to 30 JAIS and police officers had interrupted a multi-racial dinner held at the Dream Centre building, which is owned by the church. They took photos, videos and details of the Muslim guests.

It spark an uproar amongst the Christians and Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim was swift to apologize to Selangorians for the infringement on their persoanl rights. However, late of Thusday night, Hasan decided to issue his statement without the knowledge of his party or the state government. He claims to have evidence.

"These are very serious allegations. You cannot simply say such things without having proof. We challenge him now to show his evidence," Ramon Navaratnam, past president of Transparency International, told Malaysia Chronicle.

Breaking ranks once too often

All eyes are now on whether Hasan will be abe to satisfy his party or the Selangor executive coucil with his explanation. Not only are the Christians in the state upset at accusation without furnishing proof, his colleagues are frustrated at his lack of teamwork.

In the aftermath of the 2008 general election, Hasan had tried to arrange a merger between Selangor PAS and UMNO, with the proviso that he be made the Mentri Besar. However, the deal fell through after the PAS central leadership rejected it. He has been entangled in several controversies since then, the most table of which was the sale of beer at 24-hour retail outlets in the state.

What shook Hasan most was his recent failure to recapture the Selangor PAS commissioner's post. At the party's annual congress, delegates overwhelming voted for a shift towards a moderate stance, and closed the door on any marriage with UMNO.

However, whether Hasan acted out of frustration or not, the fire he unwittingly lit may burn him back. Already there are calls from within Pakatan Rakyat to re-evaluate his position in the state council.

"What is a matter of concern and must be viewed seriously is the public defence of the JAIS action by the State Executive Councillor Datuk Hassan Ali issued shortly after Khalid’s statement expressing regret for the raid and asking JAIS to submit a full report on the incident – as it is an act of breaking ranks in the Selangor state government," DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang said in a statement.

- Malaysia Chronicle